This edition of the European Rowing Championships was held from 5 to 7 September for women, and a few days later for men.
Men competed in all seven Olympic boat classes (M1x, M2x, M2-, M2+, M4-, M4+, M8+).
An innovation was that petite finals were held to determine places 7 to 12.
At its congress held in conjunction with the 1967 European Rowing Championships in Vichy, the International Rowing Federation (FISA) had decided that the 1969 Championships would be held on the Lake of Banyoles in Spain.
[2] Circumstances changed and the event moved to Austria.